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As a grandparent, you play an important role in your grandchild’s life. You get to forge a special relationship with your grandchild, or grandchildren and can be a safe and comforting space for them to go throughout their life. As a grandmother, you are likely interested and involved in your grandkid and want to be able to take care of them when needed. Some grandparents are more involved in the care of their grandchildren than others, but, no matter what, you want to be sure you have certain supplies at your house for your young grandchildren.

Here are the 10 things grandmothers should always have on hand for babies and young children.

It’s essential to always have a stroller on hand in case you need to take a baby or toddler out for a walk. If you are watching your grandchild and you need to go on any sort of errand, a stroller is essential to have. The stroller will allow you to store a diaper bag, food, and any other essentials while out and about. While your grandkid probably has their own stroller, having one on hand at your house is necessary in case your grandchild's parents forget theirs. Plus, you can take your grandkid with you for a walk and just to get out of the house for fun.

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A DIAPER BAG

Similar to a stroller, a diaper bag is another essential item for you to always have on hand. If you’re babysitting a baby or toddler, their parent will likely drop off the diaper bag with them. However, sometimes things can be forgotten, so it’s always best to be prepared when it comes to young children.

If you have your own diaper bag full of supplies like diapers, snacks, baby wipes, pacifier, bottles, and more, you’ll be ready for anything. This will allow you to always be prepared and always have necessary supplies on hand.

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HEALTHY, AGE APPROPRIATE SNACKS

As a grandmother, you likely want to spoil your grandchild and have your house be a fun place. This is definitely a great thing, and you can definitely indulge your grandkid in treats sometimes such as homemade cookies.

Family recipes will be something you can pass down to the little ones, but you don’t want to go overboard on unhealthy options. Make sure you always have healthy snacks around for your grandkid to snack on. Depending on their age, these snacks will vary, but fruits and veggies are always a great place to start if they are old enough to eat solid food.

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FUN TOYS THEY ONLY HAVE AT YOUR HOUSE

While toys are often plenty for kids these days, having specific toys that they can only play with at your house will make coming to visit you an exciting event. You don’t need to go overboard on buying toys but having a select few is a good idea. You could have more classic toys that they might not normally have or opt for interactive toys that encourage imagination and learning. These toys don’t even need to take up a lot of space in your home as you can just have a small part of a closet and bring them out when your grandson or daughter is around.

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FIRST AID KIT

Safety is important, and you’ll want to make sure you always have some simple items for small emergencies around. This includes getting certain medication for pain or cold that can be used for children. You’ll also want a good amount of band-aids and antibacterial ointment around as kids tend to end up with scrapes and scratches especially as they get into toddler stage and beyond. Having just a few first aid items around will have you prepared for those small mishaps that tend to happen.

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INFORMATION ON WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY

When a child gets hurt or sick, it can be really stressful and scary. If you’re watching your grandchild, you’ll want to have plans in place for what to do in an emergency. Having numbers on hand for police, their doctor, and their emergency contacts are essential.

Thinking about these things ahead of time will have you ready and prepared if an emergency does happen. Of course, hopefully, you’ll never find yourself in this situation, but it’s always best to be ready.

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CHILD-FRIENDLY CUPS, PLATES, ETC.

When babies grow to be toddlers and then to young children, they tend to break things and be messy. You’ll want to keep some items on hand that are safe for little ones to eat off of.

This will also ensure that breakable items like glassware don’t get ruined. Invest in just a few child-safe and friendly cups, plates, spoons, forks, etc. This will make it easier for them to eat and you won’t have to worry as much about messes.

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BOOKS

Reading to a child has so many benefits for their development. Even reading to a baby can help with learning and brain development, so having many books around is a must. Reading to your grandchild can be a bonding thing you do together, and you can also feel happy knowing you’re spending time with them and helping them. Invest in books that are appropriate for their age and make reading time a staple of coming to grandma’s house.

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A PLACE THEY CAN FEEL IS THEIR OWN

Kids want to be able to feel relaxed and comfortable. If your house is set up only for adults, they are likely going to get in trouble and feel restless and bored. You want to make sure your house has spaces that are friendly for kids so that your grandchild can have their own little spot in your house. Whether it’s a little nook in a bedroom or a place to play outside, your grandchild will know they are always welcome with you.

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CHANGE OF CLOTHES

Children make messes. It’s just a fact. These messes aren’t always bad as it often means they are playing and exploring their world. However, babies, toddlers, and young children often get their clothes messy. You should have at least a couple of outfits on hand for these situations. These clothes can stay at your house in a drawer so you're always prepared.